20 Fun Facts About Ford Motor Company

When it comes to the history of the automobile, the first notch in the timeline starts with Henry Ford. Since he opened the Ford Motor Company in 1902, the world has seen more makes and brands of different automobiles than one person could ever imagine. From producing vehicles for the public, to helping with military equipment, the Ford Motor Company has seen it all. While the Ford Motor Company has seen some rough times in the past, the most recent being financial problems, the company still stands as a brand that takes the leading position in the car manufacturing industry. The following is a list of interesting facts you may not know about the legendary Ford brand.

World's Largest Family-Owned Business

The Ford Motor Company is the world's largest family-owned business. Since Henry Ford retired from his CEO position, all CEOs after have been direct relatives.

The Assembly Line

Henry Ford integrated the assembly line concept to build cars after getting the idea from a pig-slaughtering plant. Today most cars are built using an assembly line. -assembly line

The Logo

The oval blue Ford label known today was first introduced in 1907.

Very First Ford Car

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The very first Ford was sold to a Dr. Pfennig in 1903. Today, Ford’s current CEO, William Clay Ford Jr., owns that original vehicle sold.

Capturing and Keeping Edison's Last Breath

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Henry Ford and Thomas Edison were close friends. Upon request, Edison’s son captured his father’s last breath in a tube and sealed it. Ford kept that tube as a memorial to his friend.

Ford On to Better Things

Before making cars, Ford was the Chief Engineer of the Edison Illuminating Company. He later left after Edison encouraged him to work on his plans for a gasoline automobile.

Ford Airplanes

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During World War I, Ford started the Ford Airplane Company, which shut down in 1933 due to poor sales. In 2002, the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission recognized Ford as a pioneer of aviation.

Ford Mustang Pedal-Power Cars

After Ford released the Mustang in 1964, 94,000 toy pedal-powered Mustangs were sold to children during the following Christmas.

$850 Car

The first Ford automobile, the Model A, sold for $850. It had a 2-cylinder engine and reached a maximum speed of 30 mph.

The Original "Green" Company

Ford was the first Green company. Before 1939, Ford factories were powered by burning both human and animal manure.

Ostrich Feather Buffering

In the early years of manufacturing, ostrich feathers were used to buffer all the new cars before they left the factory.

Birth of Monster Trucks

The first Monster Truck ever, the legendary Bog Foot, used a Ford vehicle as its base.

Peanuts Cartoon

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The famous Peanuts cartoon was introduced to television through a commissioned Ford television commercial.

Le Mans Auto Race

The Ford GT40 was the first vehicle to win the famous Le Mans auto race four years in a row.

Popularity?

While Ford is an extremely popular car brand, it ranks 5th among all car manufacturers.

An Arm and A Leg

Henry Ford invented the catchphrase "an arm and a leg" after someone asked him why he was so carefree regarding money.

Model T

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While the Model A car was the first automobile manufactured by Ford, they did not achieve success until the release of the Model T.

Better Pay

In 1914, Ford offered employees double the market average pay of $5 a day, in an effort to help them have a life rather than just living.

Jim Morrison and His Ford

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The only car the legendary singer of the Doors, Jim Morrison, ever owned was a 1967 Shelby GT 500.

The First

Ford was the first company to manufacture and sell cars.

This list of facts was composed from information from allcarbrandslist.com, history.com, rantcars.com, 10-facts-about.com, and ulmersautocare.com.